Linotype-machine attachment.



0. G. PICKETT.

LINOTYPE MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1908. 958,530, Patented May 17, 1910.

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LINOTYPB MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 3, 1908.

958,530, Patented May 17, 1910. v I a ammira-sum1* 2.

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0. G. PICKETT.

LINOTYPE MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

APPLIUATION FILED JULYa, 190s.

958,530, Patented May 17,1910.

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OCREN GORDON PICKETT, OF JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI.

LINOTYPE-MACHINE ATTACHMENT.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 17, 1910.

Application led July 3, 1908. Serial No. 441,806.

To all lwhom t may concern:

Be it known that I, OoREN GORDON P10K- ETT,I a citizen of the UnitedStates, residin at Jefferson City, in the county of Cole an State ofMissouri, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Linotype-MachineAttachments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to linot pe machines of the form known as theMergenthaler, and is directed to improvements in mechanism forcontrolling the movements of the assembler block for the purpose ofincreasin the speed of operation; and to the contro by suitable means ofthe incoming matrices during assembly; and of the shifter fingers of theline transfer mechanism, in order to permit the automatic movements ofthe assembler without interference from these sources.

In the Mergenthaler machine, as now in general commercial use, thematrices are released from the magazine by the action of finger keys,and descend through chutes and are received upon an inclined belt fromwhich they pass into an assembler block into which they are pushed bythe action of a star wheel against the pressure of a yielding resistancein the form of a slide which interlocks or presses against a fingerdepending from a shifter carriage by which the assembled line is uponits completion, shifted from the assembler block to the castingfposition. In the sequence of operations per ormed by the partsmentioned in assembling a line, it is necessary to lift the assemblerblock after the line is completed by the depression of a handle at theright hand side of the keyboard, which operation releases the lineshifting carriage and thereby removes the line from the assembler blockwhich is thereupon returned to its initial position to receive anotherline, this return being dependent upon the action of gravity landpartially controlled by a spring attached to the lifting lever and tothe rame of the machine.

The keyboard of the machine is so arranged that the lower case matricesin the magazine are controlled by the finger keys at the left hand sideof the keyboard and this is naturally the portion of the board most usedby the operator. The leverwhich controls the movement of the assemblerblock is as before stated at the right hand side of the keyboard. When,the assembler block is filled with a line of matrices and in conditionto be lifted into position for 'the shifter-mechanism to act, theoperator is under the necessity of stopping the assembly action andreaching to the right to depress the hand lever which raises theassembler block. He must then await the action of the shifter mechanismand the return of the assembler block before proceeding with theoperation of the assembling matrices for a new line. The time consumedin the lifting of the assembler block and its return amounts to aboutone tenth of the time of the operator, and so far as the setting up ofmatter is concerned is time lost.

My invention consists in the provision of automatic means for raisingthe assembler block to the shifting position and returning the same toits initial position; controlllng said automatic means by a finger keypreferably located in the keyboard of the machlne; in combining withmechanism so controlled, means for sustaining the last matrix intheline; also for controlling the action of the left hand finger of theshifter mechanism,

and for -removing from the path of movement of the matrices an elongatedfinger at the right side of the shifter mechanism which forms a part ofthe quadding attachment in use in the Mergenthaler machine.

In a more detailed sense the invention consists in providing the leverwhich lifts the assembler block to the shifting position with a springnormally under tenslon and controlling the action of this spring by alatch operated by a finger key, which upon 1ts depression releases thelatch and permits the spring to raise the assembler block to theshifting position, and in returning the assembler block by means of asecond sprmg the tension of which is controlled by one of the movingparts of the machine connected with the shifter mechanism in such mannerthat when the shifter carriage carries the line out of the assemblerblock, the second spring operates to return the carriage to its initialpoint, reestablish the tension of the first spring and the conditioneXistin before the depression of the linger key, an in combination withthe finger key, mechanism for moving the left hand finger of the shiftercarriage, sustaining the last matrix in the line in order to prevent itfrom falling over and interfering with the movement of the carriage, andswinging the right hand finger of the shifter carriage used in thequadding attachment in order to prevent injury to the distributer of thematrlces.

In the drawings accompanying thls specification-Figure l is a frontelevation of the assembly and keyboard of a linotype machine, with myinvention incorporated therein. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing thelinger key and the levers actuated thereby for releasing the carriageand controlling the movements of the assembly block. Figs. 3, 4, 5, and6 are details of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a detailperspective view of a portion of the finger key and coperating parts.

Referring to the drawings, A is a magazine of a linotype machine, B thechutes through which the matrices descend, C the belt upon which thematrices are received, and by which they are carried to the entrance ofthe assembler block D, E is a star wheel which forces the matrices in anupright position into the assembler block D, F a yielding resistantagainst which the matrices are forced by the action of the star wheel E,G a brake which controls the movement of the yielding resistant F.

H designates the finger keys controlling the release of the matrices,and I a rock shaft mounted in front of the keyboard and adapted to berotated and thereby lift the assembler block D, through the movement ofan arm J secured to the rock shaft I and connected to the assemblerblock D by a link K.

In the usual form of the linotype machine, the shaft I is rotated andthe assembler block lifted by means of a hand lever situated at theright hand side of the keyboard and the assembler block is returned toits normal position by its own weight. In the form herein shown, boththe upward and return motions of the assembler block are due to theaction of springs normally under tension by reason of the action ofmoving parts of the machine, andI controlled by the movement of a lingerkey described hereafter, which serves also to control the movements ofthe finger of the shifter carriage and' of a lever for straightening thelast matrix in line and releasing the brake.

Referring now to the drawings 1 is an arm secured to the rock shaft Iwhich extends to the rear at the right hand side of the keyboard, and isconnected bv means of a spiral spring 2 to some part o the frame of themachine, in this instance to the arm 3 which sup orts the sort box. Inthe downward position of the assembler block D, this spring is undertension, and the parts are retained in place by an angular latch lever 4pivoted to the frame of the machine, and provided with an upwardextension 5 having a hook 6 at its upper end adapted to engage aprojection 7 on the assembler block D, and at its other end with adepending arm 8 which en ages a slot 9 in the Vrear end of a pivote hner key 10 at the left hand side of the key oard of the machine. The key10 is secured to the keyboard by a pivot screw 11 and has its forwardend provided with a linger button, and is normally held against downwardmotion by a s ring 12 att-ached to the key lever and to the rame of themachine. The rear end of the key 10 is provided with three slots 9, 9and 9b and underlies the depending arms of three levers 8, 13 and 14which engage with the notches or slots 9, 9 and 9b respectively, and areheld in engagement therewith by means of springs 15, 16 and 17 attachedto the levers and to the frame of the machine. The lever 13 comprisestwo arms at right angles to each other, and is pivoted to the frame ofthe machine in such position that the angle or point of the lever 152llies below and slightly to the rear of the point where the matrices tothe rear of the point where the matrices enter the assembler block, andthe horizontal arm 15b extends to a point adjacent the brake Gr, whereit is provided with an adjusting screw 15c by which its point of contactand consequent time of release of the brake G may be adjusted.

As at present constructed the slide brake is moved by hand in order tostraighten a line. This not only takes the hand of the operator awayfrom the keyboard, but also requires him to watch the line to see if itneeds straightening. The lever 13 acts both as a line straightener andas a brake release. The screw 15c rests on the slide brake and the lowerend of the lever rests in the groove 9a of the key 10. This lever ispivoted at 15d and when the key 10 is depressed and its inner end liftedthe lever 13 is rocked and a pressure is put on the slide brake whichstraightens the line, the same as now done by direct pressure of thehand on the brake. A further movement of the key 10 causes the lever 13to slip oftl on the lefthand side of the key and a projection 13", onthe lower end of the lever, enters a recess 9c in the side of the key.This removes the pressure from the slide brake and allows the latter tocome to rest at the moment the line is elevated.

In machines where the quadding attachment is in use, it is necessary toprovide means for releasing the left hand finger of the line shiftercarriage and for controlling the motion of the right hand finger in suchmanner as to prevent interference with the line of matrices when theassembler block is raised. For the purpose of moving the left handfinger L, it is provided with a downwardly extending arm 16 providedwith an an ular extension 16a which lies in the path o movement of ahorizontal arm 14a extending from a lever 14 in such a manner that theVdepression of the arm 14a will cause' itfto act against the angular ex--tension 16* and swing it, the arm 16 and the left handfinger, backwardand out of the path of movement of the assembler block D.

The right-hand finger, now inuse in oo nnection with the uaddingattachment, is much longer than t e old style finger. The lower end ofthis finger, as at present manufactured, is about on a line with the toof the assembling elevator and directly a ove the assembling matrices. Aspring holds this nger to the right and it is continually coming incontact with the space-bands and matrices causingthem to assemblesomewhat slower, wearing the combinations of the matrices and at altimes in the way if a matrix has to be changed. In fact, to at presentchange a matrix it is necessary to slip the finger of the hand to theright of this machine right-hand 4finger and push it out of the way. Itis necessary to hold this finger out of the way while composition is inprogress and to return it to position quickly when the line is ready fortransfer. For the purpose'of controlling the movements of the finger M Ilengthen the same and a bell crank lever 18 is pivoted in a suitablebearing block 19 secured to the under side ofthe space band box N, andprovided with a finl ger 20 adapted to be forced against an incline onthe upper end and above the pivotal i point of the finger M, in such amanner as to orce it into a vertical position, in response to the actionof a spring 21 secured to the arm 18a of the bell crank lever 18. Thearm 18a is connected by a rod 22 to the forward angle 14c of the lever14 and acts against'the tension of the spring 21 to hold the finger 20away from the shoulder on the finger M. A

fiat spring 23 is attached to the bell crank lever in position to bearagainst the finger M below its pivot in such manner as to force itbackward and thereby swing it away from the line of matrices, this beingthe normal position of the finger when the key 10 and lever 14 are notin use. Upon the depression of the key 10 and the consequent raising ofthe lever 14 the attached rod 22 releases the bell crank which isrotated by the action of the spring 21 releasing the spring 23 fromcontact with the nger M and throwing the angular finger 20 forward intocontact with the shoulder M and thereby bringing the finger intoposition to receive the line of matrices as the assembler block ing.When the key 10 is depressed it causes lever 14 to rock on its pivotalpoint, thus operating the right hand linger release, as previouslydescribed, and also operating the left hand linger L. The operation ofthe left 55 hand linger L at this time is also of importance. As nowconstructed the left hand finger'closed after the line started up, whichoftenl allows the'first matrix in the line to fallover to the left. Bmeans of my construction the left hand ger is released before the linestarts up. The downward movement of the assembler block D is controlledby the act-ion of a s ring 25 mountedv behind the face plate of themachine, with its upper end secured to a convenient part of the machineframe, preferably to lthe bracket O which supports the dash pot of theshifter cam lever P. The lower end of the spring 25 is secured by anadjusting nut 26 to the end of a lever 27 pivoted to the frame of themachine and with its free end 28 projecting to the front of the faceplate of the machine in position to overlie the arm J with which itmakes `contact at certain times in such a manner as to act first as acushion to receive the impact of the assembler block in its upwardmovement and second as a means for returning the 4assembler block to itsinitial position, as will be described hereafter. The rear end of thelever 27 adjacent the spring underlies the end of the lever P connectedto the piston of the dash pot controlled by the shifter carriage'and itscam, and the spring 25 is extended and under tension when the lever P isat its lowest point of movement, at which time the assembler block D isat itslowestpoint in position to receive aline of matrices, and theforward end 28 of the lever 27 is in the path of travel of the arm J andat a point slightly below its upward limit of motion, the relativearrangement being such that as the assembler block rises the arm J iscaught by the end 28 of the lever 27 near the end of its upwardmovement, and the tension of the spring 25 utilized as a cushion toreceive the impact of the ascending assembler block, and to check itsmovement without jar.

When the assembler block D is lifted to its upper position, it sets freethe line shifter carriage which transfers the line of matrices from theassembler block to the vise which sustains them in the castingoperation. The movements of the shifting carriage are controlled by aspring actuated lever and by a suitable cam and the motion of thecarriage is steadied in such a manner as to .prevent the jar as it movesin response to the action of the spring by a dash pot connected'by alink to the end of the lever P. The arrangement of parts being such thatthe lever P rises at the time that the line shifter carria-ge passes outof the assembler block; this restores the tension of the spring 25thereby establishes a condition in which the spring is ready to act as acushion to receive the upward impact of the assembler block, aspreviously described and, to restore it to its receiving position in'the manner previously stated.

The complete operation of the mechanism is as follows Assuming theassembler block to be at its lowest, or receiving position and a line ofmatrices assembled in the same and in readiness for elevation for theaction of the shifting mechanism, and that the last matrix in the lineleans slightly to the right: the first quarter inch depression of thefinger key 10 causes the angle screw 15c of the lever 13 to press theslide brake and close up the line and the point 13a of the lever slips'ofi' from its position on the key lever and makes connection with thehole 9c in the side thereof by this means releasing the pressureon thebrake G and allowing it to act as the assembler block rises. At thispoint in the movement of the key the arm 16 is acted upon by theextension (4a of the lever) 4 thereby releasing the left hand finger L,the latch lever 4 releasing the hook 6 and the assembler block ascendsin response to the action of the spring 2. Upon reaching its upperposition the assembler block releases the shifter carriage, whichremoves the matrices therefrom and in so doing releases thepressure ofthe lever P upon the lever 27 and allows the tension of the spring 25 toreturn the assembler to its initial osition. In case a quaddingattachment orms a part of the machine the action of the latch 4 swingsthe left hand pivoted finger into proper position as the assemblerascends as has been previously described.

While the invention as described and shown is adapted for use with theMergenthaler linotype machine, it is obvious that modifications in themechanical structure can be made in the same adapting it for use onother forms of linotype machines, and that various modifications withinthe limits of mechanical skill can be devised in the mechanism hereshown without departing from the scope of the invention.

What I claim is 1. An attachment of the kind described comprising anassembler block, said block nioving vertically, a pivoted lever, a lefthand finger, a right hand finger, means connecting said fingers to saidlever, and a key controlling action of said lever.

2. An attachment of the kind described comprising a right hand finger, aspring for holding said finger in normal position, a bell crank carryingsaid spring, the bell crank being adapted to engage the finger, akeyoperated lever, a rod connecting said lever and bell crank, and meansfor holding the lever in normal position.

3. An attachment of the kind described comprising a pivoted key notchedin its rear portion, a line straightening device resting loosely in oneof said notches, a trigger engaging one of said notches, said triggerbeing secured to the assembling elevator lock, and a left hand fingerattachment resting loosely in the remaining notch, as and for thepurpose set forth.

v4. In a'linotype machine having an assembling elevator provided with alock and a left hand finger, a pivoted key notched in its rear portion,a line straightening device resting loosely in one of said notches, atrigger engaging one of said notches, said trigger being secured to theassembling elevator lock, and an attachment connected to the left handfinger and resting loosely in the other notch, as and for the purposeset forth.

5. The combination with a linotype keyboard and slide brake, of a linestraightener resting loosely upon the inner end of a key having apivoted angled portion, and a pin flattened upon its under face, saidpin being carried by said line straightener and engaging the slide brakewhen in normal position.

6. An attachment of the kind described comprising a pivoted key, a linestraightener resting loosely upon the rear end portion of said key, apin carried by, said line straightener, said pin bearing upon a slidebrake, a left hand finger release resting loosely upon said key, anangled trigger resting upon said key and secured to an assemblingelevator lock, a, spring connecting said trigger and the tray andholding the trigger in engagement with the key, a pivoted bar having afront'curved end, and a tension spring connected to the rear end of thebar, said bar acting as a cushion for slowing up the assemblingelevator.

7. The combination with an assembler block, of a left hand finger, apivoted lever, means connecting said lever and finger, and a key foroperating said lever for the purpose of releasing the said left handfinger in advance of upward movement of the assembler block.

8. In an attachment of the kind described, the combination with anassembler block and a left hand finger, of a pivoted angled lever, adownwardly extending arm operatively connected with the left handfinger, and having a lower end portion lying in' the path of movement ofa portion of said lever, a spring holding said lever in normal position,and a key adapted to rock said lever upon its vivotal point anddepressing that portion ofD the lever adapted for engagement with thedownwardly extending arm, thereby swinging said arm and releasing theleft hand linger in advance of upward movement of the assembler block.

9. The combination with a verticall movable assembler block and rightand le hand fingers, of an angled pivoted lever, a key provided with anotch to receive one end of said lever, means connecting the right handfinger with said lever, and means connecting the left hand finger withsaid lever, thereby simultaneously operating said lingers upondepression of the said key.

10. In an attachment of the kind described, a right hand linger, apivoted bell crank lever, a finger carried by said lever and adapted forengagement with the upper end portion of the right hand finger, a springadapted to rock said bell crank lever upon its plvotal point, a secondspring carr1ed byV said lever and normally bearing against the righthand finger below its pivotal point, a vertically movable rod engagingsaid bell crank and holding the first mentioned sprin under tension, andkey-operated means or lifting said rod, thereby releasing said sprin andpermitting the bell crank lever to roc upon its pivotal point, l as andfor the urpose specied. l

. OCR N GORDON PICKETT. Witnesses:

E. L. BURCH,

EDA TANNER.

